Put a little love into your diet
Spice up your diet and introduce some foods belived to have aphrodisiac qualities.
Certain foods have long been used to act either as an aphrodisiac or as a way of improving fertility.
Usually these qualities were given to certain foods through ancient mythology, or because the shape of the food resembled sexual organs, or because the food naturally represented a seed and was therefore considered to have inherent sexual powers.
To find out if these myths are true or not, why not carry out your own food-based experiment with a willing partner and see what comes up?
Aniseed
Aniseed seeds are believed to increase desire. Sprinkle on salads or use in curries to spice things up
Asparagus
The shape of asparagus has given it a reputation as an aphrodisiac. Grilled, steamed or boiled, dip it in egg and feed it to your special someone for a sensuous experience.
Almond
The scent of almonds is said to arouse a female’s passion. To intensify the flavour of almonds gently toast them before adding to salads or desserts. You never know, the smell of toasting almonds could have beneficial side effects.
Avocado
Given the shape of avocados you can see why the ancient Aztecs referred to the avocado tree as the "testicle tree". The ripe flesh of avocado is wonderfully smooth and is great peeled and sliced in salads. Or, use it to make a delicious guacamole dip for a perfect start to a romantic evening.
Bananas
Like asparagus, the banana has won its reputation as an aphrodisiac food because of its phallic shape. However, its reputation is not all down to myth. Bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins that are needed for the production of sex hormones.
Basil (sweet basil)
Not only is basil said to provide a sense of well being, it also stimulates the sex drive and boosts fertility. For an added boost mix with pine nuts, garlic and olive oil to make a pesto sauce.
Ok, so not strictly something we should be eating on a diet, but the occasional piece could be good for our love life. The legend of the aphrodisiac properties of chocolate started back in ancient times when the Aztec emperor, Montezuma, would drink a goblet of hot chocolate before entering his harem.
Montezuma could have been onto something back then as chocolate has since been found to contain a number of chemicals that act as stimulants on the heart and nervous system (caffeine, theobromine and phenyethylamine). So eating chocolate produces an effect akin to the feeling of love - a beating heart and a feeling of slight giddiness .
More recently chocolate has also been found to contain more antioxidant (enzymes linked with preventing cancer) than red wine.
When choosing chocolate the higher the cocoa content the better. Always try to choose a chocolate that has at least 70% cocoa.
Carrots
Early Middle Eastern royalty believed carrots to be a stimulate and aid seduction, particularly for men. Carrots are also an excellent source of vitamins and beta-carotene.
If you are planning a night of passion a small amount of coffee, known as a stimulant for both mind and body, could be just what you need.
Coriander (Cilantro seed)
A tale in the Arabian Nights claims that a potion including coriander seeds cured a man of being childless for over 40 years. Amongst other things, coriander has also been used as an appetite stimulant.
Fennel
Ancient Egyptians used fennel as “libido enhancement”. Have it raw and thinly sliced in salads or griddled or made into a puree as an accompaniment to fish and chicken.
Figs
Once you’ve seen an open fig, you can understand its association with the female sex organ and the belief that this fruit acts as a sexual stimulant. Ripe figs are a real treat and work well in salads or as a sensuous end to a meal.
Garlic
To stir your sexual desire you and your partner should share in eating a meal that includes garlic. Though be warned, too much garlic could have the opposite to the effect desired.
Ginger
Ginger (the root vegetable), stimulates the circulatory system and could help with stirring things up later. Raw, cooked or crystallised ginger can be used in many recipes. Use with garlic in this low-fat vegetable stir-fry.
Honey
Ancient Egyptians used honey in many of their medicinal cures. Some of which were used for curing sterility and impotence. Mead, a fermented drink made from honey, was used in Medieval times by newly weds to “sweeten” the marriage.
Liquorice (licorice)
Liquorice is most stimulating to women and is believed to enhance the feelings of love and lust.
Mustard
Spicy mustard stimulates the sexual glands and produces increased desire.
Nutmeg
Chinese women used nutmeg as an aphrodisiac. Grated nutmeg, when used sparingly, produces a lovely warm quality in dishes such as butternut squash soup, spinach and spaghetti Bolognese.
Oysters
The Romans were the first to document oysters as an aphrodisiac after one noted the lascivious ways of women after eating oysters and drinking wine.
The other reason for the aphrodisiac quality given to oysters has to be the resemblance to female genitalia.
The best way to eat oysters is raw with either a squeeze of lemon juice, a dash of tobassco sauce or shallot and vinegar dressing. Or a chilli, lime and sesame oil dressing.
Pine Nuts
Pine nuts are a great source of zinc which is essential for maintaining male potency. They have used as far back as Medieval times as a libido stimulant.
A fruit rich in vitamin C that has been used as a treatment for impotence by homeopaths.
Raspberries and Strawberries
Both given aphrodisiac qualities due to their resemble to nipples. They are a perfect, and light, way to end a romantic meal. Enhance the mood by hand feeding these treats to your lover.
Truffles
These rare and expensive treats were considered by the Greeks and the Romans to be an aphrodisiac. The scent of the truffle was said to stimulate and sensitize the skin to touch.
Vanilla
The delicious scent and flavour of vanilla was thought to increase lust. According to the Australian Orchid Society, "Old Totonac lore has it that Xanat, the young daughter of the Mexican fertility goddess, loved a Totonac youth. Unable to marry him due to her divine nature, she transformed herself into a plant that would provide pleasure and happiness."
